6-fluoro-17beta-hydroxy-17alpha-lower aliphatic hydrocarbon-1, 4-androstadienes and 6-fluoro-17alpha-lower aliphatic hydrocarbon estradiols



United Stat Patent O? 2,877,240 6-FLUOR0-17/3-HYDROXY-Hot-LOWER ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBON 1,4 ANDROSTADIENES AND 6-FLUOR0-17a-LOWER ALIPHATIC HYDROCAR- BON ESTRADIOLS J Allan Campbell, Kalamazoo Township, Kalamazoo County, Raymond L. Pederson, Kalamazoo, John C. Babcock, Portage Township, Kalamazoo County, and John A. Hogg, Kalamazoo Township, Kalamazoo County, Mich., assiguors to The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Mich, a corporation of Michigan No Drawing. Application June 9, 1958 Serial No. 740,551

24 Claims. (Cl. 260-397.4)

This invention relates to new 6aand 6,8-fiuoro steroids and is more particularly concerned with 6-fluoro-l75- hydroxy-17ot-1ower aliphatic hydrocarbon-1,4-androstadien-3-ones and the l7-acylates thereof, 6-flLlO1O-17OL- lower aliphatic hydrocarbon estradiols and the 17-acylates thereof and methods used in the preparation thereof.

The novel steroids of this invention, the compounds of Formulae II and III, depicted and described in greater detail below, possess useful therapeutic properties. The compounds of Formulae II and III having a l7ot-alkyl group possess the ability to modify the secretion of genadotropins and in addition exhibit androgenic, anabolic and central nervous system regulating activity. The compounds of Formulae II and III possessing the 17a-CECR grouping affect the secretion of gonadotropins and thus regulate ovulation and endometrial and placental development and, particularly when used in conjunction with androgens, e. g., 9u-fluoro-11/3-hydroxyl7-methyltestosterone, reduce fertility and are useful for the. treatment of dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, endometriosis, threatened abortion and related gynecological disorders. In addition, the compounds of Formula III are estrogenic and afiect blood lipids, thus making them useful as anti-atherosclerotic agents.

Administration of the steroids of Formulae II and III can be in conventional dosage forms such as pills, tablets,

capsules, syrups, or eliXirs for oral use, or in liquid forms.

which are adaptable to the natural and synthetic steroid hormones for injectable products.

The novel compounds of this invention are prepared according to the following reaction scheme:

wherein R represents methyl or hydrogen, R represents hydrogen or the acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid, preferably a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid, contain ing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive, and R; represents a lower aliphatic hydrocarbon radical. The term lower-aliphatic hydrocarbon radical as used herein: refers to an alkyl radical of from one to six carbonatoms, inclusive, e. g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl; isopropyl, 3-methylpentyl, and the like,-:oran alkynyl radical of the structure -CECR3, wherein R is hydrogen or' an alkyl radical of from one to four carbon atoms, inclusive, e. g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, and tertiary butyl. Y

The 17OL-SllbSlltllBIlt, designated as R in the formulae of the foregoing reaction scheme, is referred to in this application as alkyl. It is to be understood that the substituent has the valuegiven hereinabove, i. e., an ali-" phatic hydrocarbon radical containing from one to six.

carbon atoms, inclusive.

In this. application the wavy line 5 appearing at the 6-position is a generic expression inclusive of the alpha (or) and beta (5) configuration.

The starting steroids for the processes of the present invention, the compounds of Formula I, e. g., 6-finor'o. l7 3-hydroxy-17a-alkyl-4-androsten-3-ones and. the 17- acylates thereof and G-fiuoro-175-hydroxy-17a-alkyl-19-- nor-4-androsten-3-ones and the l7-acylates thereof are disclosed-in .our copending applicationSerial No. 699,502,

filed November 29, 1957, now Patent Number 2,838,500.;

One of the processes of the present invention comprises the fermentative or chemical dehydrogenation of:

Fermentative dehydrogenation of the compounds of Formula I (where R is methyl), such as 6-fiuoro-17B hydroxy-l7a-alkyl 4 androsten-3-ones and the l7-acylatcs thereof, comprises the use of microorganisms such as" Septomyxa, Corynebacterium, Fusarium, and' the like,

under fermentation conditions well known in the art (e. g., U. S. 2,602,769) and furthermore illustrated in the ex-w amples below. When the starting steroid contains a" CECR3 group in the 17-position and 'Septomyxais' used to effect l-dehydrogenation, it is found to be'ad'-' vantageous-to use with the substrate and medium a steroid promoter, such as progesterone, 3-ketobisnor-4-cholen 22-al, S-ketobisnorcholenic acid, 11;3,21-dihydroxy'- 1,4,17- (20)-pregnatrien-3-one, and the like.

The free alcohols are usually employed as starting material in the fermentative dehydrogenation process since dehydrogenation using microorganisms generally etfects saponification of the 17-ester group. However, the 17- acylates, for example, the 17-acetate, thel7-propion'at'e",

and the like, of 6-fluoro-1718-hydroxy-17ot-alkyl-4-am The: products obtained by the fermentative dehydrogenation of the compounds of Formula I (where R is methyl) are 6 fluoro-17B-hydroxy-17ot-alkyl1,4-androstadien-3-ones, 1

drosten-3-ones can be used as starting material.

the compounds of Formula II, which, if desired, can be acylated to obtain the corresponding 17-acylates thereof."

The acylation is carried out in known manner by allow ing 6 fluoro 17B hydroxy a alkyl 1,4 androsta dien-3-ones to react with the anhydride of an organic" carboxylic acid, particularly a hydrocarbon carboxylic; acid containing from one to twelve carbons, inclusive, for example, a saturated straight-chain aliphatic acid,- e. g., acetic, propionic, butyric, Valerie", hexan0ic,1auric,

a saturated branched-chain aliphatic acid, e. g., trime'tlr- 3 ylacetic, isobutyric, isovaleric, a cycloaliphatic saturated acid, e. g., cyclohexane-carboxylic, an alkaryl acid, e. g., benzoic, phenylacetic, 2-phenylpropionic, o-, m-, and ptoluic, a saturated dibasic acid (which can be converted into water-soluble, e. g., sodium, salts), e. g., succinic, adipic, a monobasic unsaturated acid, e. g., acrylic, crotonic, undecylenic, propiolic, cinnamic, a dibasic unsaturated acid (which can be converted into water-soluble, e. g., sodium, salts), e. g., maleic and citraconic. If the corresponding acylating agent is solid, an inert solvent such as toluene, xylene or dioxane can be added to effect solution and to provide a liquid esterification medium.

Chemical dehydrogenation of the compounds of Formula I (where R is methyl) to produce the compounds of Formula II (where R is methyl) can be carried out with selenium dioxide according to procedures well known in the art and further illustrated in the examples below.

Fermentative dehydrogenation of the compounds of Formula I (where R is hydrogen), such as 6-fiuoro-l7 8- hydroxy 17oz alkyl 19 nor 4 androsten 3 ones and the l7-acylates thereof, is carried out in the same manner as described above for the fermentative dehydrogenation of the compounds of Formula I (where R is methyl). The compounds of Formula II (where R is hydrogen), such as 6-fiuoro-17,6-hydroxy-17a-alkyl-l9- nor-1,4-androstadien-3-ones produced by the fermentative dehydrogenation, are unstable and spontaneously rearrange to produce the compounds of Formula III, such as 6-fiuoro-17a-alkylestradiols. If the 17-acylates of 6-fluoro- 17,3 hydroxy 17a alkyl l9 nor 4 androsten 3- ones are used as the starting materials, saponification of the l7-ester group is generally effected.

The 17-acylates of the 6-fluoro-l7a-alkylestradiols are obtained in the following manner: the 6-fiuoro-17a-alkylestradiols are acylated, according to the procedure described above for the acylation of 6-fl1101'0-l7/3-hYdI'OXY- 17a-alkyl-1,4-androstadien-3-ones, to obtain the corresponding 6 fluoro 17cc alkylestradiol 3,17/8 diacylates. The said 3,17/8-diacylates are then converted to 6- fiuoro-l7a-alkylestradiol 17-acylates by substituting the said 3,17-diacylates for the estradiol 3,17-diacylate disclosed'in Example 2 of U. S. Patent 2,611,733 and following the procedure disclosed therein selectively saponifying the acyl group at the 3-position.

, Chemical dehydrogenation of the compounds of Formula I (where R is hydrogen) to obtain the compounds of Formula III is carried out in the same manner described above for the conversion of the compounds of Formula I (where R is methyl) to the compounds of Formula H (where R is methyl). Here, as in the fermentative dehydrogenation, the compounds of Formula II (where R is hydrogen), such as 6-fluoro-17fi-hydroxy- 17a alkyl 19 nor 1,4 androstadien 3 ones and the 17-acylates thereof, are unstable and spontaneously rearrange to produce the compounds of Formula III, such as 6 flllOIO-l7a alkylestradiols and the 17 acylates thereof.

-The foregoing compounds of Formulae I, II and III are, all characterized by the presence of a 6-fiuoro substituent. It should be noted that the configuration of the fluorine at the 6-position can be either 60: or 6 8. Thus, substituting a 6B-fiuoro steroid as the starting material and following the procedures hereinbefore described and as exemplified below, while maintaining near neutral reaction conditions, there is produced as the final product of each example the corresponding 6fl-epimer. Where the 6,3-epimer or a mixture predominating therein is employed as the starting material, any subsequent reaction product can be isolated either as the 6,8-epimer or the aforesaid mixture of 611- and 6 S-epimers. A 6ct-epimerized product can be obtained by treatment of the 6B- epimer or a mixture of the 6mand 6B-epimers at temperatures of zero degrees centigrade, or slightly higher or lower temperatures, in an organic solvent, such as chloroform, methylene chloride, ether, and the like, and in the presence of a prototropic agent (proton-donating agent) such as alcohols, organic acids, and the like, with a mineral acid, such as hydrogen chloride. The mixture should preferably be maintained at a temperature of zero degrees centigr ade, although slightly higher or lower temperatures can be used, during the addition of the acid. The reaction mixture can then be washed with successive portions of dilute alkali and water, and then dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. The 6a-fluoro products can be recovered from the crude reaction product and purified by recrystallization.

Alternatively, the epimerization can be accomplished with alkali. Bases, for example, solutions of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, may be used to treat the 6/3-epimer in solution in an organic solvent, such as methanol, to produce the 6a-epimer.

The following examples are illustrative of the process and products of the present invention, but are not to be construed as limiting. In the examples which follow, the Roman numeral following the name of a compound is used to indicate the relation of the compound to the' two percent corn steep liquor (sixty percent solids) and' tap water, are adjusted to a pH of 4.9. This medium is sterilized for 45 minutes at fifteen pounds per square inch pressure and inoculated with a one to two day vegetative growth of Septomyxa afiinis A. T. C. C.-6737. The Erlenmeyer flasks are shaken at room temperature (about 26 to 28 degrees centigrade) for a period of 'three. At the end of this period this SOD-milliliter voldays. ume is used as an inoculum for ten liters of the same glucose-corn steep liquor medium which in addition contains five milliliters of an antifoam compound (a mixture of lard oil and octadecanol). The fermentor is placed into the water-bath, adjusted to 28 degrees centigrade and the contents stirred thoroughly (300 R. P. M.) and aerated (0.2 liter of air per minute to ten liters of beer). After twenty hours of incubation, when a good growth has been developed, one gram of 6a-fil1010-1713- hydroxy-l7a-methyl-4-androsten-3-one (I) in sixteen milliliters of dimethylformamide is added and the incubation carried out at the same temperature (28 degrees centigrade) and aeration for a period of 36 hours (final pH 8.3). The mycelium is filtered off and extracted with three 200-milliliter portions of acetone. The beer is extracted with three one-liter portions of methylene chloride and thereupon the acetone extracts and the extracts of the beer are combined, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated and the resulting residue chromatographed over a Florisil anhydrous magnesium silicate column, which on elution with seven percent acetone in Skellysolve B hexanes and evaporation of the solvent, affords solid residues. The residues are combined and recrystallized from methylene chloride containing Skellysolve B hexanes to give 6a-fluoro-17B-hydroxy- 17ot-methyl-1,4-androstadien-3one (II), a crystalline solid.

Instead of Septomyxa, species of other genera such as Corynebacterium, Didymella, Calonectria, Alternaria, Colletotrichum, Cylindrocarpon, Ophiobolus, Fusarium, Listeria, Erysipelothrix, Mycobacteriurn, Tricothecium, 'Leptosphaeria, Cucurbitaria, Nocardia, and enzymes of fungi of the family Tuberculariaceae can be used to in troduce a A -bond into 6oc-fluoro-l7,8-hydroxy-l7a-methyl- 4-androsten-3one.

Similarly, other 6u-fluoro-17/3-hydroxy-l7a-alkyl-4- androsten-3-ones, for example, 6u-fluoro-17B-hydroxy- 17u-ethyl-4-androsten-3-one, can be substituted for 6aa sv'rgeae fluoro-l7pahydroxy-l7aaniethyl-4 androstem3-on'e to obtain the corresponding 6m-fluoro-17fl-hydroxy 17a-alkyl 1,4-androstadien-3-ones, for example, 6a-fiu'oro-17y3-hydroxy-17a-ethyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one.

Instead of 6afluoro-17,8-hydroxy 17u-methyl-4-androsten-3-one (and other 6a-fluoro-l7fl-hydroxy-l7otalkyl-4-androsten-3-ones), the l7-esters thereof can be used such as the 17-acetate, the 17-propionate, the '17- butyrate, 17-isobutyrate and the like. However, in these cases the ester group is generally saponified during the fermentation process.

EXAMPLE 2 One gram of 6a-fluoro-17B-hydroxy-l7a-methyl-1,4- androstadien-El-one is dissolved in nine milliliters ofacetie anhydride and warmed under reflux for about one-half hour. The reaction mixture .is then distilled under reduced pressure to remove unreacted acetic anhydride. The crystalline material remaining after the distillation is then recrystallized from aqueous methanol to give crystals of 6a-fluoro-17fi hydroxy-17a-methyl-l,4-androstadien-B-one l7-acetate (11).

Similarly, by reacting 6a-fiuoro-17f3-hydroxy-17mmethyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one with the appropriate bydrocarbon carboxylic acid anhydride, for example, at temperatures between about 120 and 150 degrees centigrade, there are produced other l7-acylates of 6d-fluoro- 17 3-hydroxy-17a-methyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one such as 6:: fluoro 176 hydroxy 17a methyl 1,4 androstadien-3-one 17-propionate, oa-fluoro-l7fl-hydroxy-17umethyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-butyrate, 6a-fluoro-l7'flhydroxy-l7a-methyl1,4-androstadien-3-one l7-valerate, 6a fluoro 17s hydroxy 17 methyl 1,4 androstadien-3-one 17-hexanoate, 6a-fluoro-l7fl-hydroxy-l7umethyl-1,4-anclrostadien-3-one 17-laurate, oa-fluoro-l'l'flhydroxy 17wmethyl :1,4 androstadien 3 one 17- trimethylacetate, 6tx-fluoro-17fl-hydroxy-17a-methyl-1,4- androstadien 3 one 17 isobutyrate, 6a fiuoro 17,8- hydroxy 17oz methyl 1,4 androstadien 3 one 17- isovalerate, 6oz fluoro 17,8 hydroxy 17a methyli1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-cyclohexanecarboxylate, 6afiuoro 17,3 hydroxy 17a methyl 1,4 androstadien- -3-one l7-benzoate, 6ot-fiuoro-l7B-hydroXy-17a-methyl- 1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-phenylacetate, 601-111101'0-17 3- hydroxy 170: methyl '1,4 androstadien 3 one -1 7- 09- phenylpropionate), 60c fluoro 17,6 'hydroxyl7u-methyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-(o-, m-, p-toluate), 6oz fluoro 17 3 hydroxy 17a methyl 1,4 androsta'dien3-one 17-hemisuccinate, 6oz-fll1OIO-17fi-hYdIOXY- l7a-methyl-1,4androstadien-3-one l7-hemiadipate, 6o:- fluoro 175 hydroxy 17cc methyl 1,4 andro'stadien- 3-one 17-acrylate, 6u-fluoro-17fi-hydroxy-17m-methyl-1,4- androstadien-3-one 17-crotonate, '6a-fluoro-17/8-hydroxy- 17a-methyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-undecylenate, 6w fluoro 17B hydroxy 17a methyl :1,4 androstadien- 3-one l7-propiolate, 6a-fiuoro-17 3-hydroxy-17ct-methyl- 1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-cinnamate, 6a-fiuoro-17B-hydroxy-17a methyl-1,4-androstadien-B-one l7-maleate, and 6a fluoro 17,8 hydroxy :17 methyl 1,4 androstadien-S-one 17-citraconate.

'If the corresponding acylating agent is solid, an inert solvent such as toluene, xylene or dioxane can be added to effect solution and to provide a liquid esterification medium.

"Likewise, by reacting other '6ec-fl1101'O-l7fl-h1/d1'OXY- 17m-alkyl-1,4-androstadien-3-ones with the appropriate hydrocarbon carboxylic acid, such as those named above, there are produced other 17-acylates of 6a-fiuoro-17flhydroxy-17u-alkyl-1,4-androstadien-3-ones such as, for example, the 17-propionate, the l7-hemisuccinate, and the 17-benzoate.

'6 EXAMPLE "3 6 w'fiuoro-l 7fl-hydr0xy-1'7wmethyl-L4-androstadien- 3-0ne (II) (chemical dehydrogenation) A mixture of 704 milligrams of 6iz-fluoro-17B-hydroxyl7a-methyl-4-androsteu-3-one (:1) dissolved in 13.5 milliliters of tertiary butyl alcohol and 0.135 milliliter of acetic acid was heated together with 293 milligrams of selenium dioxide at refiux, with stirring, for a period of five and one-half hours. Thereafterninety milligramsof selenium dioxide were added and the mixture heated under reflux, with stirring, for a further period of twelve hours. The mixture was then cooled, filtered-to remove the selenium dioxide and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in fifty milliliters of methylene chloride, washed with water, four times with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, again with water, dried over sodium sulfate and'evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in fifty milliliters of benzene and chromatographed on grams of Florisil (synthetic magnesium silicate). The chromatographic column was eluted in '45-milliliter fractions as follows:

Fractions 122Skellysolve B hexanes plus five percent acetone Fractions 23-45-Skellysolve B'hexanes plus sixpercent acetone Fractions 4668-Skellysolve B hexanes plus seven percent acetone Fractions 69-91-Sl ellysolve'B hexanes plus eight percent acetone EXAMPLE 4 6 or-flLlOrO-I 7,8-hydroxy-1 7u-methyl-1,4-androstadien- 3-0ne 1 7-acemte (II) (chemical dehydrogenation) Substituting 6tz-fiuoro-17B-hydroxy-17a-methyl-4-andros ten-3-one 17-acetate (and other 6a-fluoroal7p-hydroxy- 17a-alltyl-4-audrosten-3-one 17acylates) for 6a-fluoro- 17,6-hydroxy-17a-methyl-4-androsten-3-one and following the procedure of Example 3 is productive of Ga-flLlOI'O- 17fl-hydroxy-17a-methyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-acetate (and other 6a-fiuoro-17p-hydroxy-17a-alkyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-acylates).

EXAMPLE 5 6ct-fluoro-17wmethylestradiol (III) (biological dehydrogenation) Five IOO-milliliter portions 'of a medium, in 2'50-milliliter Erlenmeyer flasks, containing one percent glucose, two percent corn steep liquor (sixty percent solids) and tap water, are adjusted to a pH of 4.9. This medium is sterilized for 45 minutes at fifteen pounds per square inch pressure and inoculated with a one to two day vegetative growth of Septomyxa afiinis A. T. C. C. .6737. The Erlenmeyer flasks are shaken at room temperature (about v26 to 28 degrees centigrade) .for a period of three days. Atthe end of this period-this '500-millilitervolume is used as an inoculum for ten liters of the same glucosecorn steep liquor medium which in addition contains five milliliters of an antifoam compound (a mixture of lard oil and octadecanol). The fermentor is placed into the water-bath, adjusted to 28 degrees Centigrade and the contents stirred thoroughly (300 R. P. M.) and aerated (0.2 liter of air per minute to ten liters of beer). After twenty hours of incubation, when a good growth has been developed, one gram of 6ot-fll101O-l7fl-iJYdIOXY-l7amethyl-l9-nor-4-andro'sten-3-one (I) in sixteen milliliters of dimethylformamide is added and the incubation carried out at the same temperature (28 degrees centigrade) and the aeration for a period of 36 hours (final pH 8.3). The mycelium is filtered oil and extracted with three ZOO-milliliter portions of acetone. The beer is extracted with three one-liter portions of methylene chloride and thereupon the acetone extracts and the extracts of the beer are combined, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated and the resulting residue chromatographed over a Florisil anhydrous magnesium silicate column, which on elution with increasing proportions of acetone in Skellysolve B hexanes and evaporation of the solvent aifords solid residues. Those fractions soluble in ten percent aqueous sodium hydroxide are combined and crystallized from ethyl acetate-Skellysolve B hexanes to give 6ot-fluoro-17a-methylestradiol (III), a crystalline solid.

Instead of Septomyxa, species of other genera such as those described in Example 1 can be used to convert out-fluoro-l7B-hydroxy-17ot-methyl-19-nor-4-androsten-3-one to 6a-fluoro-17a-rnethylestradiol (III). Similarly, other oat-fluoro-17B-hydroxy-17a-alkyl-19-nor- 4-androsten-3-ones, for example, 6a-fluoro-l7fi-hydroxy- 17 -ethyl-19-nor-4-androsten-3-one, can be substituted fo 6ufluoro-l7B-hydroxy-17u-methyl-l9-nor-4-androsten- 3-oneto obtain other 6a-fiuoro-l7a-alkylestradiols, for example, 6a-fluoro-17a-ethylestradiol.

Instead of 6u-fluoro-17B-hydroxy-17u-methyl-19-nor-4- androsten-3-one (and other 6a-fluoro-17B-hydroxy-l7aalkyl-l9-nor-4-androsten-3-ones) the 17-esters thereof can be used such as the l7'acetate, the 17propionate, the l7-butyrate, the 17-isobutyrate, and the like. However, in these cases the ester group is generally saponified during the fermentation process.

EXAMPLE 6 6a-fluoro-17u'methylestradi0l (III) (chemical dehydrogenation) A mixture of 100 milligrams of 6afiuoro-l7B-hydroxy- 17a-methyl-19-nor-4-androsten-3-one (II) dissolved in six milliliters of tertiary butyl alcohol and 0.55 milliliter of acetic acid is heated together with thirty milligrams of selenium dioxide to approximately 75 degrees centigrade under stirring for a period of about 24 hours. Thereafter another thirty-milligram portion of selenium dioxide is added and the mixture heated under continuous stirring for a further period of about 24 hours. The mixture is then cooled, filtered to remove the selenium dioxide and evaporated. The resulting residue is purified as described in Example to give pure 6a-fluoro-17u-methylestradiol (III), a crystalline solid.

Similarly, other 6ot-fiuoro-17,8-hydroxy-17a-alkyl-19- nor-4-androsten-3-ones, for example, 6a-fiuoro-17 3-hydroxy-l7a-ethyl-19-nor-4-androsten-3-one, can be substituted for 6a-fluoro-17/3-hydroxy-l7a-methyl-19-nor-4-androsten-3-one to obtain other 6ct-fluoro-17m-alkylstestradiols, for example, 6m-fluoro-17a-ethylestradiol.

EXAMPLE 7 6a-fluoro-17a-methylestradiol 17-acetatc (Ill) (chemical dehydrogenation) Substituting 6ct-fluoro-17flhydroxy-17u-methyl-l9-nor- 4-androsten-3-one 17-acetate (and other 6u-fluoro-l7flhydroxy-17a-alkyl-l9-nor-4-androsten-3-one l7-acylates) for Ga-fluoro-I7p-hydroxy-17u-methyl-19-nor-4-androsten- Sons and following the procedure of Example 6 is pro-: ductive of 6a-fluoro-17m-methylestradiol 17-acetate (and other 6u-fiuoro-l7a-alkylestradiol 17-acylates).

EXAMPLE 8 6a-flu0ro-J 7fi-hydroxy-1 7u-ethinyl-1 ,4-an drostadien-3-one (II) (biological dehydrogenation) Five IOU-milliliter portions of a medium, in 250-milliliter Erlenmeyer flasks, containing one percent glucose, two percent corn steep liquor (sixty percent solids) and tap water, are adjusted to a pH of 4.9. This medium is sterilized for 45 minutes at fifteen pounds per square inch pressure and inoculated with a one to two day vegetative growth of Septomyxa afiinis A. T. C. C. 6737. The Erlenmeyer flasks are shaken'at room temperature (about 26 to 28 degrees centigrade) for a period of three days. At the end of this period this SOD-milliliter volume is used as an inoculum for ten liters of the same glucose-corn steep liquor medium which in addition contains five milliliters of an antifoam compound (a mixture of lard oil and octadecanol). The fermentor is placed into the water-bath, adjusted to 28 degrees centigrade and the contents stirred thoroughly (300 R. P. M.) and aerated (0.2 liter of air per minute to ten liters of beer). After twenty hours of incubation, when a good growth has been developed, one gram of 6a-fluoro-17fl-hydroxy-l7a-ethinyl-4- androsten-3-one (1) plus one-half gram of 3-ketobisnor-4- cholen-22-al in sixteen milliliters of dimethylformamide is added and the incubation carried out at the same temperature (28 degrees centigrade) and aeration for a period of 36 hours (final pH 8.3). The mycelium is filtered ofi and extracted with three 200-milliliter portions of acetone. The beer is extracted with three one-liter portions of methylene chloride and thereupon the acetone extracts and the extracts of the beer are combined, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated and the resulting residue chromatographed over a Florisil anhydrous magnesium silicate column, which on elution with seven to ten percent acetone in Skellysolve B hexanes and evaporation of the solvent affords solid residues. The residues are combined and recrystallized from acetone-Skellysolve B hexanes to give 6a-fluoro 17B-hydroxy-17m-ethiny1-1,4-androstadien- 3-one (II), a crystalline solid.

Instead of Septomyxa, species of other genera such as those described in Example 1 can be used to introduce a A -bond into Get-fluoro-l7 8shydroxy-l7a-ethinyl-4-androsten-3-one.

Similarly, other 6a-fluoro-17fi-hydroxy-l7a-alkynyl-4- androsten-3-ones, for example, 6a-fluoro-17f3-hydroxyl7a-methylethinyl-4-androsten-3-one, can be substituted for 6a-fluoro-17fi-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl-4-androsten-3-one to obtain the corresponding Got-fluoro-l7B-hydroxy-l7a-alkynyl-l,4-androstadien-3-ones, for example, 6u-flUOI'0-17otmethylethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one.

Instead of 6a-fiuoro-17fl-hydroxy-l7vt-ethinyl-4-androsten-3-one (and other 6tt-fluoro-l7fi-hydroxy-17ot-al kynyl-4-androsten-3-ones), the l7-esters thereof can be used such as the l7-acetate, the l7-propi0nate, the 17- butyrate, the 17-isobutyrate, and the like. However, in these cases the ester group is generally saponified during the fermentation process.

EXAMPLE 9 one-I7acetate (II) One gram of 6ot-fiuoro-l7B-hydroxy-l7cc-ethinyl-l,4- androstadiene-3-one is dissolved in nine milliliters of acetic anhydride and warmed under reflux for about one-half hour. The reaction mixture is then distilled under reduced pressure to remove unreacted acetic anhydride. The crystalline material remaining after the distillation is then recrystallized from aqueous methanol to give crystals of 6a-fluoro-17fi-hydroxy-l7a-ethinyl-L4-androsta dien-3-one l7-acetate (II) Similarly, by reacting Got-fluoro-17p-hydroxy-17a-ethi nyl-l,4-androstadien-3-one with the appropriate hydrocarbon carboxylic acid anhydride, for example. at temperatures between about 120 and 150 degrees centigrade, there are produced other 17-acylates of 6a-fiuoro-l7fi hydroxy- 17a-ethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one such: as 6afluoro-17 8-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl 1,4 androstadien-3-one 17-propionate, 6a-fiuoro-17B-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-butyrate, 6a-fluoro-17fi-hydroxy-17aethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-valerate, 6a-fluoro-1713- hydroxy-17a-ethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-hexanoate, 6a-fluoro-l7fi-hydroxy-l7a-ethinyl 1,4 androstadien-3- one 17-laurate, 6a-fiuoro-17B-hydroxy17a-ethinyl-1,4- androstadien-3-one 17-trimethylacetate, 6a-fiu0ro-17flhydroxy-17a-ethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-isobutyrate, 6a-fiuoro-17B-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl-1,4-androstadien- 3-one 17-isovalerate, Got-fluoro-17,B-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl- 1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-cyclohexanecarboxylate, 6afiuoro-17fi-hyclroxy-17a-ethinyl 1,4 androstadien-3-one I'Z-benzoate, oat-fluoro-17/8-hydroxy-17a-ethiny1-1,4-androstadien 3 one 17-phenylacetate, droxy-l7a-ethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-(fl-phenylpropionate), 6a-fluoro-17,6-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one l7-(o-, m-, p-toluate), 6a-fluoro-17/8- hydroxy-17a-ethinyl-l,4-androstadien-3-one 17-hemisuccinate, 6a-fiuoro-17B-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-hemiadipate, 6a-fluoro-17,8-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one l7-acrylate, 6ot-fiuoro-l7fi-hydroxy-l7a-ethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one l7-crotonate, oa-fluoro-17,8-hydroxy-17u-ethinyl 1,4 androstadien-3-' one 17-undecylenate, 6u-fiuoro-17/3-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl- 1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-propiolate, 6a-fiuoro-17fi-hydroxy-l7ot-ethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-cinnamate, 6u-fluoro-17B-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl 1,4 androstadien-3- one 17-maleate, and 6a-fluoro-17B-hydr0xy'17a-ethinyl- 1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-citraconate.

If the corresponding acylating agent is solid, an inert solvent such as toluene, xylene or dioxane can be added to efiect solution and to provide a liquid esterification medium.

Likewise, by reacting other 6oc-flu0IO-l7fi-hYdl0XY-l7aalkynyl-1,4-androstadien-3-ones with the appropriate hydrocarbon carboxylic acid, such as those named above, there are produced the 17-acylates ofother 6m-fiuoro- 17B-hydroxy-17a-alkynyl-l,4-androstadien-3-ones such as, for example, the 17propionate, the 17-hemisuccinate, and the 17-benzoate.

EXAMPLE 10 6 a-flnoro-Z 7B-hydroxy-1 7a-ethinyl-1,4-andr0stadien-3- one (11) (chemical dehydrogenation) A mixture of 100 milligrams of 6a-fluoro-17fi-hydroxy- 17a-ethinyl-4-androsten-3-one (I) dissolved in six milliliters of tertiary butyl alcohol and 0.55 milliliter of acetic acid is heated together with thirty milligrams of selenium dioxide to approximately 75 degrees centigrade under stirring for a period of about 24 hours. Thereafter another thirty-rnilligram portion of selenium dioxide is added and the mixture heated under continuous stirring for a further period of about 24 hours.. The mixture is then cooled, filtered to remove the selenium dioxide and evaporated. The residue is purified as described in Example 8 to give pure 6a-fluoro-17B-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl- 1,4-androstadien-3-one (II), a crystalline solid.

Similarly, other 6m-fluoro-l7fi-hydroxy-17a-alkynyl-4- androsten-3-ones, for example, 6a-fluoro-l7fi-hydroxyl7a-methylethinyl-4-androsten-3-one, can be substituted for 6a-fluoro-17B-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl-4-androsten-3-one to obtain the corresponding 6a-fluoro-17fi-hydroxy-17aalkynyl-1,4-androstadien-3-ones, for example, 6a-fluoro- 175-hydroxy-17a-methylethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one.

EXAMPLE 11 6 a-flllOI'O-I 7 fi-hydroxy-J 7u-ethiny l-1 ,4-androszadien-3- one 17-aeetate (II) (chemical dehydrogenation) Substituting Got-fluoro-17,8-hydroxy-17a-ethiny1-4-anfiuoro-l7 8-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl 4 androsten-3-one and following the procedure of Example 10 is productive of alkynyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one 17-acylates).

EXAMPLE 12 6a-fluoro-17a-ethinylestradiol (III) (biological dehydrogenation) Five -milliliter portions of a medium, in 250-milliliter Erlenmeyer flasks, containing one percent glucose;

two percent corn steep liquor (sixty percent solids) and tap water, are adjusted to a pH of 4.9. This medium is sterilized for 45 minutes at fifteen pounds per squareinch pressure and inoculated with a one to two day vegetative growth of Septomyxa afiinis A. T. C. C. 6737. Erlenmeyer flasks are shaken at room temperature (about 26 to 28 degrees centigrade) for a period of three days. At the end of this period this SOD-milliliter volume is used as an'inoculum for ten liters of the same glucosecorn steep liquor medium which in addition contains five milliliters of an antifoam compound (a mixture of lard oil and octadecanol); The fermentor is placed into the water-bath, adjusted to 28 degrees centigrade and thecontents stirred thoroughly (300 R. P. M.) and aerated milliliter portions of acetone. The beer is extracted with. three one-liter portions of methylene chloride and there upon the acetone extracts and the extracts of the beer are combined, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated and the resulting residue chromatographed over a Florisil'anhydrous magnesium silicate column, which on elution with increasing proportions of acetone in skellys'olve B hexanes and evaporation of the solvent affords solid residues. Those fractions soluble in ten percent aqueous sodium hydroxide are combined and recrystallized from acetone-Skellysolve B' hexanes to give 6tx-fluoro-17a-ethinylestradiol (III), a crystalline solid. Instead of Septomyxa, species of other genera such as those described in Example 1 can be used to convert 3-one to 6a-fluoro-17a-ethinylestradiol (III).

Similarly, other 6a-fluoro-17B-hydroxy-17a-alkynyl-19 nor-4-androsten-3-ones, for example, Sa-fiLlOlO-l'YB-h? droxy-17a-methylethinyl-19-nor-4-androsten-3-one, can be substituted for 6a-fiuoro-17fl-hydr0xy-17a-ethinyl-19-nor- 4-androSten-3-one to obtain other 6a-fiuoro-l7a-alkynylestradioles, for example, 6a-fiuoro-17a-methylethinylestradiol.

Instead of 6a-fluoro-l7fi-hydroxy-l7a-ethinyl-l9-nor-4- androsten-B-one (and other 6u-fluoro -l7e-hydroxy-17aalk'ynyl-19-nor-4-androsten-3-ones), the l7-esters thereof can be used such as the 17-acetate, the 17-propionate, the 17-butyrate, the 17-isobutyrate, and the like. However, in these cases the ester group is generally saponified during the fermentation process.

EXAMPLE 13 6a-flaor0-17a-ethinylestradiol (III) (chemical dehydrogenation) A mixture of 100 milligrams of 60t-fillOI'O-17B-hy droxy-17a-ethinyl-l9-nor-4-androsten-3 one (1) dissolved in sixmilliliters of tertiary'butyl alcohol. and 0.55 .milliliter ofacetic acid-is" heated .togethenwith thirty milli Thev - 17(3-hydroxy-17 a-methylethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3 -one.

EXAMPLE 14 6a-flu0ro-17a-ethinylestradi0l-17-acetate (III) (chemical dehydrogenation) Substituting Get-fluoro-l7B-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl-19nor- 4-androsten-3-one 17-acctate (and other 6a-fluoro-l7fl-hydroxy-l7a-alkynyl-l9-nor-4-androsten-3-one l7-acylates) for 6e-fiuoro-175-hydroxy-l7a-ethinyl-19-nor-4-androsten- 3one and following the procedure of Example 13 is productive of 6a-fiuoro-17a-ethiny1estradiol 17-acetate (and other 6a-fiuoro-l7a-alkynylestradiol 17acylates).

EXAMPLE 15 I The 6B-epimers A. Substituting 65-fluoro-l7fi-hydroxy-l7a-methyl-4- androsten-Zi-one (and the 17-acylates thereof) for the starting material in Example 1 and following the procedures of Examples 1 through 4 but maintaining near neutral conditions, there is produced respectively as the product of each example the corresponding 6,8-steriod, for example, 613-fluoro-17fl-hydroxy-17a-methyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one (Examples 1 and 3), and 6B-fluoro-175- hydroxy-lh-methyl-1,4-androstadien-3 one 17 acetate (and other 17-acylates thereof) (Examples 2 and 4).

B. Substituting 6p-fluoro-l7 3-hydroxy-17a-methyl-19- nor-4-androsten-3-one and the l7-acylates thereof for the starting material in Example 5 and following the procedures of Examples 5 through 7 but maintaining near neutral conditions, there is produced respectively as the product of each example the corresponding 6fi-steroid, for example, 6fi-fluoro-l7a-methylestradiol (Examples 5 and 6), and 6fi-fluoro-17u-methylestradiol l7-acetate (and other l7-acylates thereof) (Example 7).

C. Substituting 6B-fiuoro-l7;S-hydroxy-l7a-ethinyl-4- androsten-B-one (and the 17-acylates thereof) for the starting material in Example 8 and following the procedures of Examples 8 through 11 but maintaining near neutral conditions, there is produced respectively as the product of each example the corresponding 6 3-steroid, for example, 6,5 fiuoro 17fi-hydroxy-l7u-ethinyl-l,4andro stadien-3-one (Examples 8 and 10), and 6/3-fiuoro-17t3- hydroxy-l7u-methyl-l,4-androstadien-3-one 17 acetate (and other l7-acylates thereof) (Examples 9 and 11).

D. Substituting 6,8-fluoro-17fi-hydroxy-l7a-ethinyl-19- nor-4-androsten-3-one (and the 17-acylates thereof) for the starting material in Example 12 and following the procedures of Examples 12 through 14 but maintaining near neutral conditions, there is produced respectively as the product of each example the corresponding GB-steroid, for example, 6 8-fiuoro-17a-ethinylestradiol (Examples 12 and 13), and 6/8-fluoro-17u-ethinylestradiol 17-acetate (and other 17-acylates thereof) (Example 14).

EXAMPLE 16 Isomerization of the 6 8-flu0r0 steroids to the corresponding 6oc-flu0r0 steroids Illustratively, this reaction is carried out as follows: A solution of one gram of 6p-fluoro-l75-hydroxy-17umethyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one in 100 milliliters of chloro- 12 form and 0.1 milliliter of alcohol is cooled to approximately minus ten degrees in an ice-salt bath and a stream of anhydrous hydrogen chloride is gently bubbled through the solution for about 2.5 hours whilst maintaining the temperature between approximately minus five and minus fifteen degrees centigrade. The solution is then washed with dilute sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated under reduced pressure. Crystallization of the residue from acetone-Skellysolve B hexanes yields 6u-fiuorol7fi-hydroxy-l7a-methyl-l,4-androstadien-3-one, of Example 1.

In a similar manner, other 6 3-fiuoro steroids, for example, dien-3-one 17-acylates and GB-fluoro-17B-hydroxy-17aethinyl-1,4-androstadien-3-one (and the 17-acylates thereof) can 'be converted to their corresponding 60:- analogues.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 699,502, filed November 29, 1957, now Patent No. 2,838,500 issued June 10, 1958.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of operation or exact compounds shown and described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A 6-fiuoro-1-dehydro compound of the following formula:

0R2 CH3 L wherein R is an alkyl radical containing from one to six carbon atoms, inclusive, and R is selected from the.

contains from one to six carbon atoms, inclusive, and the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive.

6. 6 fluoro 17p hydroxy 17a methyl 1,4- androstadien-3-one 17-acetate.

7. 6a fluoro hydroxy 17a methyl 1,4- androstadien-3-one 17-acetate.

8. A 6-fluoro-l-dehydro compound of the following formula:

OR: on:v ---GECRs wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive, and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an alkyl radical containing from one to four carbon atoms, inclusive.

9. 6 fluoro 175 hydroxy 17a ethinyl 1,4- androstadien-3-one.

10. 6a fluoro 17p hydroxy 17oz ethinyl 1,4- androstadien-3-one.

11. 6 fluoro 17B hydroxy 17a ethinyl 1,4- androstadien-3-one 17-acylates in which the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive.

12. 6a fluoro 17 3 hydroxy 17oz ethinyl 1,4- androstadien-3-one 17-acetate.

13. A 6-fluoro compound of the following formula:

wherein R is an alkyl radical containing from one to six carbon atoms, inclusive, and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive.

14. 6 fluoro 17a alkylestradiol in which the alkyl radical contains from one to six carbon atoms, inclusive.

15. 6-fluoro-Not-methylestradiol.

16. 6a-fluoro-Hot-methylestradiol.

17. 6 fluoro 17a alkylestradiol 17 acylates in which the alkyl radical contains from one to six carbon atoms, inclusive, and the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive.

18. 6 fluoro 17oz methylestradiol 17 acetate.

19. 6oz fluoro 17a methylestradiol 17 acetate.

20. A 6-fluoro compound of the following formula:

No references cited. 

1. A 6-FLUORO-1-DEHYDRO COMPOUND OF THE FOLLOWING FORMULA: 